Welcome to NICA!
The National Independent Concessionaires Association is a membership-driven organization dedicated to strengthening relationships with the Fair, Festival, and Special Events Industries through effective communication, benefits, education, leadership, and solutions.
Our growing membership includes over 1,000 mobile food and retail Concessionaires, Fairs, Festivals, and Associate Members in Industry-related companies that specialize in distribution, insurance, manufacturing, supplies, and special services in the United States and Canada. NICA's large number of benefits include discounts on variety of items including food, beverages, supplies, travel, and lodging, so you can make the most of your season.
NICA participates in a majority of State Fair annual conventions nationwide along with the WFA Convention and NICA Sysco Marketplace in January, NICA Business Expo and Fare Foods Food Show in February, Florida Federation of Fairs Convention and Trade Show in May, IAFE Convention in November, and NICA Marketplace and Trade Show in December.
Read the Latest Issue:
Thank You For Attending the 2023 NICA Business Expo & Fare Foods Food Show
At this year's event, we were proud to celebrate the theme of "All In!" On Monday and Tuesday, important topics were discussed by Concessionaire, Fair, and Associate voices at the NICA Business Expo:
- "How To" Sessions on Propane and Accessibility
- New Products That Draw Media Attention
- Why the Choices You Make During Move-In Matter
- Successful Exit Strategies
- Nuts and Bolts of Successful Selling (held at the Florida State Fair)
- Making Social Media and Marketing Work for You
- Working Together on Affordability
- What's On Your Mind?
We also featured a sold-out Heartsaver CPR Class that trained a group of attendees on Monday morning and two sessions of Roundtables that encouraged NICA Members to discuss Convenience Fees, Sustainable Packaging, Staffing, Tipping Practices, Product Duplication, and Fair Hours/Length of Stay. On Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon, the Fare Foods Food Show showcased over 50 Exhibitors in the Ballroom, Cypress Room, and Entrance Hall.
Wednesday's events featured the NICA Leadership Luncheon and the Annual General Membership Meeting, including the Passing of the Gavel, Board Installation, Greetings from IAFE, Partnerships, Coca-Cola Membership Contest Winners, NICA Year in Review, and CCE Award Presentation. Our Annual Gala closed out the evening with a Cocktail Reception, Dinner, Industry Speakers, NICA Foundation Spotlight, Hall of Fame, and Auctions. Congratulations to Hall of Fame Recipient Don Delahoyde, CCE, and thank you to all of our attendees, speakers, panelists, and presenters. We couldn’t have done it without your continued support. "Together We Are All In!"
Additional Congratulations go to Cupid's Quik Pick winners Randy Reichert, CCE, Norm Keene, Libby Class, and Cecelia Kenna, our Food Show Windfall winners Kurt Miller (Fry Cutter), Chris Conkle, CCE (2 Night Hotel Stay), Myong Burcham ($200), Mark Granum (Fry Cutter), and Todd Desgranges (2 Night Hotel Stay), as well as our many Educational Workshop Door Prize and Auction winners. The Gift of Travel Membership Prize, sponsored by Coca-Cola, was awarded to Bryan Blair, the National Leadership Prize went to Tom Hodson, CCE, the Member Referral Prize was given to Jeff Ross, and the Most New Members Prize (and Championship Belt) went to Jacqueline Bradbury, CCE.
2023 Scholarship Applications are Now Available!
With the financial challenges that many of our students and their families are facing right now, the NICA Foundation is honored to award life-changing funds to so many deserving students. Created by NICA to oversee and administer a formal education scholarship program and foster development opportunities and training services, the NICA Foundation will be awarding over $30,000 to many deserving Scholarship Recipients in 2023.
The scholarship application for 2023 is now available online at www.nicainc.org/scholarship. Applications must be received in the NICA Office no later than June 1, 2023, to qualify. Start planning the next steps for the next chapter in your life today!
The discount and savings programs that NICA has negotiated with our premiere partners are just another way we are building relationships throughout this industry in order to bring much needed and REAL benefits to our members. See the latest Benefit Booklet for more details.
Member Benefits
View our full benefits list and see how you can save more than the cost of a membership.
